Don't Miss Out!!! (Victory Worship Center) with Pastor Greg Proctor

Text: Proverbs 13:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Your friends are statement of who you are choosing to become! Let's look at three points on the impact and importance of our friendships.

1. Influence
2. Instruction
3. Immediate

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“WALKING with the Lord...”(December 20,2021)

Did you know that the average pair of feet take around 7,500 a day? That means that in a lifetime, you will walk approximately 115,000 miles. The first man to walk around the world was a man by the name of David Kunst of Waseca, Minnesota. He completed his historic walk on October 5, 1974, after walking 15,000 miles. The trip required four and one-half years, during which time David went through 22 pairs of shoes. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average steps per day associated with 10 professions, from highest to lowest:

Here’s a breakdown of the average steps per day associated with 10 professions, from highest to lowest:

 | Occupation | Average steps per day
| Waiter | 22,778
| Nurse | 16,390
| Retail worker | 14,660
| Farmer | 14,037
| Stay-at-home parent | 13,813
| Teacher | 12,564
| Tradesperson | 11,585
| Hairdresser | 9,209
| Office worker | 7,570
| Call center associate | 6,618

Stop your busy life for moment and think back through the years about "WALKING" with someone you loved! As a child remember holding hands with someone as you walked in the warm sunshine exploring new territory. Depending upon who you were with you were either full of confidence or nervous what was in the coming shadows. Soon you either fed off or feed the other person according to who had the most influence! 

I remember being with 2 or 3 other kids on my grandpa's land and feeling in charge because He had given me authority on his land! There is no uncertainty because you know where you are at and where you are going, simply you know the rules! You have authority! Well, consider today if you are a child of God, you can "WALK WITH HIM" each and every day! Let's build our faith from the Old and the New Testament:

*Psalms 24:1-2 (KJV) THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND THE FULNESS THEREOF; THE WORLD, AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

2nd Witness:

*1 Corinthians 10:26 (KJV) For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

But as great as that is with our good Father it only gets better, He has gifts for us:

*Psalms 115:16 (KJV) The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: BUT THE EARTH HATH HE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN.

How wonderful we can "WALK" in that confidence and assurance on this earth that our Father has gave to us just like I did my grandpa's as a child but even to a greater degree! Let's look at the beginning how even after sin entered the world that a man "WALKED" with God leaving a living testimony"

*Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV) And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch “WALKED” with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And "ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD": and he was not; for God took him.

Now if Enoch could "WALKED WITH GOD" in all that evil of the day that brought on the flood in Noah's time how much more can we today in the dispensation of GRACE. This is an amazing statement. This verse tells us that Enoch did not taste death. God just took him. In other words, he didn’t even die, he was just translated to heaven with God. So, who is the oldest man who is still alive? It is Enoch. He still hasn’t died.  If you trace history back to Adam, that is approximately 6000 years. Enoch was born when Adam was 622 years old. That makes Enoch approximately 5400 years Understand Enoch's "WALK WITH GOD" was a testimony that survives even till now:

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“GET Up- GIVE Up - GO UP”

(December 22, 2021)

Please go back and read Monday's devotion or listen to it on the podcast (‘DON’T MISS OUT’ - https://www.buzzsprout.com/977674/episodes). Monday, we talked about "WALKING WITH GOD" and today we are taking "3 STEPS" to change your day!

 I slept very little and had a backache then upon awakening I had a sick headache. My first thought that was stemming from my first feeling was this is going to be a bad day! Then the feeling increased and oppression moving to depression! I then thought what's the use of even getting up. But I made myself get up and start praising then worshipping the Lord! After like David's example in the Psalms telling my soul and body to become quiet, I started lifting up the Lord and the more I lifted Him the more I was lifted in Him!

So, if your day ever starts like mine did this morning where "I don't feel like it and I sure don't want to" then this devotional is for you! I put feeling down and stood up in faith. As I was telling the Lord what His Word says about Him my faith was released! Then the Holy Spirit stood up inside of me and spoke so sweetly but firmly: if you will always "GET UP and then by faith GIVE UP your worship then you will GO UP"!

#1 “GET UP”

*John 5:5-8 (KJV) And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw HIM LIE, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, RISE (GET UP), take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Notice with this lame man and with us it will always be the same! CHOICE! This lame man had lain there 38 years. Jesus didn't even talk about the past, humans are all alike we want someone to "PET OUR PAST" and feel sorry for us! If you desire a different present, then let go of the past for this is a new day with a new Word from the Loving and Living Lord!

#2 “GIVE UP”

*John 5:9-11 (KJV) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

When this man heard the "WORDS" of Jesus he could not " GET UP " until he acted on them by faith! This man didn't know he could carry what had carried him for 38 years! But he let the "WORD" determine what he could do and not his feelings! He " GOT UP " then when he took up his bed and walked, he was " GIVING UP " praise and worship! These two steps are tied together and we must do them first so we can then:

#3 “GO UP”

*Reread John 5:9-11 (KJV) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Please understand that this man would have never got to "GO UP" if he had not stepped by faith the first 2 steps! Just think how everyone knew his situation for 38 years! But now he was going - walking on the sabbath! Th

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So many times, you hear people speaking about the Lord with this wish or worldly hope [not Bible hope]: " I am waiting on God". All through the Word - the Bible IS clearly the other way around. The Lord is simply that the Lord of the NOW, but we are hung up in the past or waiting on the future! We are to have “NOW” since it’s from a “NOW” God! I encourage you today to start seeing God as the God of the Now, and expecting Him to become an active part of your daily life! There is no better time than “NOW”!
Text: *Gen. 2:1-5 & 7 & John 19:28-30 – “NOW” because of the finished work of the Cross the Old Covenant has been finished and “NOW” we are living in and from the New! Just as in Genesis 1 even in the midst of darkness the Lord by His Spirit was moving! Stop letting the devil rob your time on the earth He does this by making us think we got to twist God's arm to get Him to do something! God is ready to reveal to us what He has already completed (yes in us) if we will get in agreement and alignment! 

  #1 MOVE    

*Read Gen. 12:1-4 - Do you think that just one day the Lord decided oh I almost forgot, I need to tell Abram to move? Read Genesis chapter 11! Abram was NOT waiting on God rather God was waiting on Abram.                     
 See Gen. 26:22 – “NOW moving to Isaac we see the same misunderstanding God made room and blessed 120 years earlier with Abram!”

#2 LIBERTY                    

*Read *2 Cor. 3:17 – “LIBERTY” = “FREEDOM – to live as a citizen” See John 14:16-17 – NOW you have liberty by the Word and not a failing feeling! Start taking the Lord at His Word and as you agree and align with the revelation of what the Lord has for you in His covenant will become yours! 

 #3 NOT in VAIN                       

Read 2 Cor. 6:1-2 – “VAIN” (ken-os’) = EMPTY. “NOW” is the favorable KAIROS moment of SOTERIA = rescue, safety & health!                  
 See “IMMEDIATELY” – Matt. 8:3, Matt.14:31, Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:31, Mark 2:12, Luke 8:44 & 13:13.

Illustration: #1. In each day there are 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds-and every one of them is a precious gift from God. Time is something we feel we never have enough of, yet we give it away so easily. Someone once said, “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” Someone once observed that a wasted life is really nothing more than a collection of wasted days. As God gives us life, each one of us starts the new year with the same number of opportunities—365—that we can choose to either use and invest in eternal things or allow to drift by without taking advantage of the gift we have been given. The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is not found primarily in talent but in diligence and effort.

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Text: Matthew 4:1-4, 7, 10, John 17:8, 14, 17

God's Word is precious, perfect and powerful. Though this statement is completely true it's kinda like ice cream in the freezer or your favorite dessert  on the cabinet. Other people  may be enjoying the dessert but you won't until you go get it for yourself. 
In the natural and in the spiritual those who have only ate what others have prepared cant fully appreciate it. It's wonderful  to share with others but if they don't appreciate it don't let it affect you. They simply don't understand  the cost!
So it is vital that we lead by example causing others to see the need and to create the hunger for themselves. 

#1 Precious 

*1 Samuel 3:1 KJVS
And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was PRECIOUS those days; there was no open vision.

Eli had became old and indifferent letting his sons take his place. They were taking advantage  of the people much like today in the modern  mega church system.  Notice that God's  Word was very precious and He was raising up Samuel  someone  who could hear from the Lord  and lead the people! Get ready its time NOW for a army of Samuel's in the earth! 

Peter called  God's  Word:

*2 Peter 1:4 KJVS
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and PRECIOUS promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God's  Word  makes us God-like!

#2 PERFECT

*Genesis 17:1-3 KJVS
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou PERFECT. [2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. [3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Notice the command of being PERFECT  came by the Word of Covenant.  Then Abram and God talked!
2nd Witness:

*James 1:25 KJVS
But whoso looketh into the PERFECT law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

God's PERFECT Word gives us opportunity to become like it:

*2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJVS
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be PERFECT, throughly furnished unto all good works.

#3 POWERFUL 

*Psalm 29:4 KJVS
The voice of the Lord is POWERFUL; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

As a child of God Jesus promised us we could hear His POWERFUL voice as He like with Abram  called us by name!

2nd Witness:

*Hebrews 4:12 KJVS
For the word of God is quick, and POWERFUL, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I want to encourage you to find that secret place  with the Lord and He will feed you His daily bread. Never again will Sunday  school class or Bible study or church be boring! Sadly people find a NEED for everything else but what is the most important!
Only by God's  Word can you truly understand what is flesh and soul so you can live out of your spirit.

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 Text: Job 10:1, Psalms 6:6

Are you tired or worn out? Jesus is touched by what you're feeling and He wants to help. Let's get some encouragement and strength from the Lord. 

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When the GOOD is GONE (Happy Thanksgiving)
In my morning worship this Thanksgiving Day 2021 I was mediating on the GOODNESS of God when symptoms and circumstances were screaming at me. My wife was ill, both my daughters are in the midst of trials, not to mention my church family that is under major attack! I know they are many right now who are hurting and there are thoughts going over and over in their minds of bad trying to cover over the good.

 We see so much division in our families, our nation and yes, the world! So the question arises how can I be thankful with all this hurt, turmoil and yes pain. You this day may be in a place of great suffering from things that are not your fault OR even of your own making. But we need to re-examine what we are feeling. That's when I heard the phrase: "when the GOOD is GONE"! We need to address that thought by the Word! Hold that thought and stop and take some medicine (Proverbs 4:22 God's Word is medicine):

{Proverbs 4:20-23 (AMPC) My son, attend to MY WORDS; consent and submit to my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are LIFE to those who find them, HEALING AND HEALTH to all their flesh. 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.}

*Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV) Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. [2] Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. [3] KNOW YE THAT THE LORD HE IS GOD: IT IS HE THAT HATH MADE US, AND NOT WE OURSELVES; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, AND THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE. [4] Enter into HIS GATES with thanksgiving, and into HIS COURTS with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. [5] FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Note verse 3 you are the creation of the Lord, we are His people the sheep of His pasture. To live a life of Thanksgiving we need to see ourselves correctly and then see the Lord God correctly. Somethings of truth we will never receive until we do verse 4! 

The devil desires to deflect us from God's GOODNESS by bringing BAD THINGS in our lives. But notice verse 5 tells us FOR THE LORD IS GOOD! He doesn't just do GOOD He is the source of all GOOD:

*Genesis 1:31 (KJV) And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, IT WAS VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Notice this the 7TH TIME in this chapter "GOOD" is named as a product of God's Creation! When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you return to God as your Father:

*James 1:16-17( KJV) Do not err, my beloved brethren. [17] EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Will you receive this peace building truth? God wants to be your Father, it's the devil trying to get us to err from the truth. The devil sowed division and death in the garden but a GOOD GOD GAVE:

*Romans 8:31-32 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?

Note a GOOD GOD FREELY GIVES His children all things because we first receive His GIFT of Jesus! The GOOD is not GONE, it's just the devil who is the author of sin, sickness and death wants you to come in agreement with that lie! Just as God had workers so does the devil:

*3 John 1:11 (KJV) Beloved

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Walk TO the Door then THROUGH the Door

In my morning devotion time, I was reminded of the verses of scripture that talks about Jesus Christ being the Christian's OPEN DOOR:

 *John 10:7,9 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am THE DOOR of the sheep. [9] I am THE DOOR: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 *Revelation 3:8 (KJV) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an OPEN DOOR, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied (to contradict) my name.

 The devil always has a lot of traffic around THE DOOR because he wants to keep you and I from going TO the door let alone THROUGH the door! It takes more than going to church or going to the Cross we must receive Jesus as Lord and Savior by coming TO and the THROUGH THE DOOR.

 *Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) Enter ye in at the STRAIT GATE (NARROW FROM OBSTACLES STANDING ABOUT): for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because STRAIT IS THE GATE, and NARROW IS THE WAY, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 The STRAIT GATE - door is narrow and the devil is like a bottleneck on a freeway! We must be led to make Godly decisions: A Columbia researcher named Sheena Iyengar has found that the average person makes about 70 decisions every day. That's 25,500 decisions a year. Speaking of decisions, turn to the Gospel of John and let’s look at Peter:

 *John 18:15-18 (KJV) And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. [16] But Peter stood at THE DOOR without. Then went out that OTHER DISCIPLE (JOHN), which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. [17] Then saith the damsel that kept THE DOOR unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. [18] And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

 NOTE V.16"PETER STOOD AT THE DOOR WITHOUT" but "JOHN" (GOD'S GRACE) brought Peter "TO" the door then "THROUGH" the door! But that's where Peter had to start talking and walking by faith, but he lost his testimony!  The servants of sin and the officers of law made a fire out of Peter’s loss of testimony and Peter warms himself by the world.

FEAR WILL KEEP US ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE DOOR! Will you respond to the Lord's message?

*John 20:19,26 (KJV) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when THE DOORS were shut where the disciples WERE ASSEMBLED for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. [26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, THE DOORS being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

 We can be "ASSEMBLED" - be in church in fear and literally shut Jesus out! Notice Jesus came to them all and then came back just for Thomas! Will you let the Lord – “THE OPEN DOOR” come to you now and speak peace to your situation? Take every system and source that is working against you now to “THE DOOR” and command it to bow at the door and be no more! We must walk the “THE DOOR” first for salvation but then healing, deliverance, understanding, wisdom, guidance, power in Jesus’ nam

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While I was praying in tongues, I sensed the phrase: "HELP THOSE WHO OPPOSE THEMSELVES" and the verse came to me that Paul wrote to Timothy and to the us the church:

 *2 Timothy 2:22-26 

 Note specifically verses 24-26:

"STRIVE" (makh'-om-ahee) a military term, hand to hand combat meaning to war!

 Notice the servants - slaves of the Lord must be apt to teach! Only by the teaching of the Word can the war be won!

"INSTRUCTING" (pahee-dyoo'-o) to train up a child that is educate or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - chasten (-ise) instruct learn teach.

 Just as children in the natural can't see the big picture and actually desire those things that will hurt and hinder them, we do that spiritually. We are "OPPOSING OURSELVES" = meaning we have set ourselves right opposite to the answer to our need or struggle!

Note "REPENTANCE" – see the truth:

*Romans 2:4 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE?

 If we will let the Holy Spirit help us repent - change our minds by acknowledging His Truth then we will stop opposing and start the recovery process:

"RECOVER THEMSELVES" (an-an-ay'-fo) to become sober again that is (figuratively) regain (one´ s) senses: - recover self.

 "SNARE" (pag-ece) a trap (an fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare.

 See Jesus's teachings on this last day's SNARE:

 *Luke 21:33-36 (KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. [34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Back to 2 Timothy:

"TAKEN CAPTIVE" (dzogue-reh'-o) to take alive (make a prisoner of war) that is (figuratively) to capture or ensnare: - take captive catch.

[See Luke 5:1-10 - positive  side – shine the LIGHT by working in the Words of Jesus!]

"BY HIM TAKEN AT HIS WILL" -

*2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Remember Peter and the others tried fishing at night which worked in the natural but when they did it Jesus’ Way – in the Light they caught so many their ships were sinking! Ask the Lord to show you now what are you doing in the dark? How are you opposing yourself?

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